Nigeria faces a potential fuel scarcity and telecommunications blackout as tanker drivers have stopped loading fuel due to alleged harassment by government officials in Lagos State and the Federal Ministry of Transportation. The drivers’ strike has already affected fuel supplies, with no loading taking place on Saturday or Sunday, raising fears of shortages in Lagos and other states.
The National President of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) said their members are being harassed, beaten, and having their trucks seized and damaged. He was unsure if fuel loading would resume on Monday. He linked the strike to a task force from the Lagos State Government and the Federal Ministry of Transport, but clarified it was separate from the recent ban on 60,000 trucks.
The Lagos State Government, however, maintains that it is simply enforcing its e-call-up system, a digital platform designed to manage truck movement in the Lekki-Epe corridor and reduce traffic congestion. The government warned against attempts to “blackmail” them, stating they would not allow the area to become another Apapa, referencing a previously heavily congested area.
Meanwhile, telecommunications companies have warned of a possible network blackout due to the tanker drivers’ strike. The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) said the strike could disrupt diesel supply, which is essential for powering mobile and internet base stations. ATCON President, Tony Emoekpere, stated that many sites have reserve tanks, but some are already at critically low levels. He called for urgent intervention to prevent widespread service disruptions.
Telecom providers rely on infrastructure companies to manage and power their base stations, and these companies are reportedly already facing difficulties in obtaining diesel. ATCON has called on the governors of Lagos and Ogun states to facilitate the release of diesel to telecom operators and urged security agencies and petroleum unions to resolve the crisis swiftly. They described the situation as a “national emergency” that could cripple economic activities and compromise public safety. A prolonged disruption in diesel supply could impact millions of subscribers who rely on stable communication networks.
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